Michael Phelps visited Beijing’s Water Cube on Sunday for what he said was the second time since the 2008 Olympics.
“As soon as I got on the plane to come down to Beijing, I was like, I really want to go and jump in the water,” Phelps said in a Facebook video, adding that he asked to do so (it didn’t appear that the request was granted). “It has been a crazy, crazy wave of emotions coming over me, coming back in here. Thinking back eight years ago to Beijing, going perfect, eight for eight [gold medals], seven world records. It’s wild, wild.”
If Phelps was correct saying it’s his second visit since the Olympics, it appears it would be his first visit in nearly eight years. Phelps went to Beijing in January 2009 and saw the Water Cube then, according to the BBC.
Phelps said he toured the facility, showing his wife, Nicole, and baby boy, Boomer, the warm-up pool and the lanes where he swam.
“I guess I have to say it’s my favorite pool, right?” Phelps said.
Phelps then ventured outside, into the chilly Beijing night, and saw his name on the outside of the arena.
“My name is spelled out on the Cube,” he said. “P-H-E-L-P-S. How sick is that?”
The Water Cube is slated to be a 2022 Winter Olympic venue. For curling. Check out a promo video.
“Which is so crazy to me,” Phelps said.
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